The City of Bristol is among a select group of Connecticut municipalities to achieve Sustainable CT’s Gold Level certification and Climate Leadership designation this year. This recognition reflects years of collaboration, innovative funding, and community-driven projects.
Sustainable CT is a voluntary statewide initiative that supports communities to become more efficient, resilient, and inclusive.
An Inside Look at the Journey
Originating from a task force created by the mayor in 2009, the Energy Commission’s work has grown to encompass diverse projects in energy conservation, education, resilience, and social equity.
Sean Dunn, Chair of the Energy Commission, reflects on how early deliverables of the task force, including an Energy Plan and joining Sustainable CT, laid a foundation for sustainable initiatives that would positively impact the lives of residents and result in cost reductions for the town. “Those goals have been met and I think the measure of that is the Gold certification this year,” said Dunn.
Noteworthy Initiatives
Throughout their Sustainable CT journey, Bristol developed transformative projects that adapted to community needs and addressed pressing challenges. One standout initiative was the creation of outdoor classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, spearheaded by Public Works Analyst Lindsey Rivers, was funded through the Sustainable CT Community Match Fund. These outdoor spaces, equipped with blackboards and seating tailored to each grade level, provided safe learning environments for students returning to school. “Every single school—Bristol has 13 schools—has an outdoor classroom, some with two,” Rivers said, highlighting the widespread adoption and collaboration with teachers and principals. Dawn Nielsen, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist added, “It gave students and teachers a break from indoor mask mandates and allowed them to continue learning in fresh air.”
Additionally, Bristol’s decision to continue its farmers market during the pandemic provided an essential gathering place for residents when few public spaces were open. Initially organized by the city, the farmers market has since transitioned to nonprofit management, allowing it to expand services and even double SNAP benefits for participants. This shift has transformed the market into a sustainable community institution, reinforcing Bristol’s commitment to food access and social resilience.
Bristol also took a pioneering approach to its community resilience and emergency preparedness efforts. In collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, the town held a Community Resilience Building Workshop that included not only city departments but also representatives from local commissions, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and homeless shelters like the Agape House and St. Vincent de Paul. This expanded scope shifted the focus from simply maintaining city operations to addressing the needs of marginalized groups during emergencies, a perspective that had been missing in earlier planning.
Innovative Funding for Sustainable Projects
One of Bristol’s key strategies for advancing its sustainability initiatives has been leveraging diverse funding sources that relieve financial burdens on residents. Rivers emphasized the town’s commitment to finding alternative funding, which included grants, community match funds, and unique sources like nipper bottle funds. This approach has enabled Bristol to expand its offerings without increasing taxpayer obligations.
The town also utilized nipper bottle funds, a unique funding stream derived from small liquor bottle sales, to support environmental cleanup efforts. These funds allowed Bristol to initiate projects like the Beautify Bristol campaign, which provided over 1,000 litter cleanup kits to residents. Additionally, grants from organizations like ReWorld have been instrumental, providing annual funding of $23,000 for sustainable projects. Through these efforts, the town distributed compost buckets and rain barrels to residents at no charge, promoting waste reduction practices.
Collaboration: The Backbone of Bristol’s Success
Bristol’s success with Sustainable CT rests on the strength of inter-departmental cooperation. Bristol’s leaders attributed their success to departments spanning across purchasing, the Board of Education, Corporation Counsel, Parks & Recreation, police, fire, water, sewer, and many others whose collaboration made this achievement possible. River explains, “If we did not work together and communicate, none of this would happen.”
Engaging all city departments initially required persistent efforts, as Lindsey Rivers and David Oakes worked with the mayor to designate sustainability points of contact within each department. “We went in not forcing changes but simply asking to document and celebrate successes,” shared Oakes.” This relationship-building approach was essential, echoed by Dunn, who noted the mayor’s strong support as crucial in overcoming challenges. The collaborative environment fostered through these interactions has made sustainability an interagency effort, breaking down silos across departments.
Equity and Inclusion: Meeting Diverse Community Needs
One notable area of growth involved embedding equity in Bristol’s sustainability efforts. Oakes discussed the learning process involved in using Sustainable CT’s equity toolkit, acknowledging initial challenges but recognizing the importance of adapting services to meet diverse needs. “Working with Sustainable CT equity coaches and attending the equity trainings helped me see our services from broader perspectives,” he said. This shift in focus encouraged a move from a one-size-fits-all approach to creating tailored solutions.
Rivers pointed out the importance of multi-channel outreach, especially for Bristol’s large senior population. “Working with Sustainable CT, we learned we were not outreaching correctly. We had to get creative—postcards, press releases, and in-person outreach became essential” she said.
Bristol’s commitment to equity has shaped many of its projects, aiming to address diverse needs within the community. Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth & Community Services (BPRYCS) staff led efforts like the MLK Mural and the Kern Park Revitalization, both of which were influenced by input from the community. Recommendations from residents determined which figures would be commemorated in the MLK Mural, and numerous workshops were held for Kern Park to make sure the space accurately represented the desires of the community. Oakes shared, “We didn’t want to provide something residents wouldn’t use,” emphasizing that authentic engagement was prioritized to serve community needs. BPRYCS alliance, coupled with the dedication and coordination of all City Departments, drove the progress of these initiatives in Bristol and led to the successful attainment of Sustainable CT Gold certification.
A Surprising Source of Support: High Schoolers
The involvement of Bristol’s youth became a surprising yet invaluable resource, particularly high school students who took ownership of projects like designing recycling bins and supporting local nonprofits. One initiative involved students from Eastern High School collecting recycled bottles to donate funds to Brian’s Angels, a local homeless outreach organization. Rivers said, “The high schoolers are great—they bring so many ideas.” This enthusiasm from Bristol’s youth is creating a ripple effect, fostering what Dunn refers to as “a culture of conservation”. The bottle program has now been extended into other schools including the Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School.
Lessons Learned and a Look to the Future
Reflecting on their journey, Bristol’s leaders encourage other towns aiming for Sustainable CT certification to foster partnerships and learn from others’ experiences. The city has participated in mentorship with the community of East Haddam, guiding them through outreach strategies and the integration of equity into their composting program. Bristol has also worked with Burlington to establish the Pigeon Hill Preserve, a shared open space initiative that combines natural preservation with educational opportunities. By working closely with other municipalities, sharing the best practices, and mentoring smaller communities, the city has expanded its impact beyond the Bristol community.
The Gold certification is just the beginning for Bristol. The team remains focused on maintaining momentum by planning future projects, expanding equity-focused initiatives, and keeping residents engaged. “We’re already thinking about our next steps. You can never fall asleep at the wheel,” Rivers concluded. “You can’t just rest on your laurels. This is a living program,” Oakes adds. As Bristol looks ahead, it serves as a beacon for other communities in Connecticut, showing that sustainable transformation is possible when driven by collaboration, creativity, and a shared vision. These achievements were made possible by Sustainable CT’s unwavering support and commitment to helping communities succeed.
For questions about Bristol’s Sustainable CT certification or insights on the process, please contact David Oakes, Public Works Facilities & Energy Manager, at davidoakes@bristolct.gov.
Learn More
Read the official press release from the City of Bristol.
Visit the Public Works webpage.
Learn more about Bristol’s municipal initiatives on the town’s official website.
Explore a range of valuable resources and NVCOG projects on the Bristol NVCOG webpage.
